Someones view what do you think....

[Paul Williams]

Today in the Times (London edition) the following article is a view of Trinidad and (mainly) Tobago and Castara in particular which is likely to raise a few people peoples hackles not with the opinions of the lovely resort but the authors views on sex tourism.
I have my own thoughts with regard to one part of this in having to leave Bangkok early whilst there with my wife as some of the Europeans behaviour made me feel disgusted (I do not think this was down to one nation only as inferred in the article).
As my two trips to Tobago have been based in Castara and so will my trip in January I have not seen signs of this personally, have people staying in other parts of the island noticed it ?.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel ... 874212.ece


Paul

[Ronald]

Hi Paul

I´ve been both in Trinidad and Tobago, every year since 1989, renting in the southern part of Tobago. Sex-tourism in Tobago, a kind of ..yes, but not as common/open as it can be in other bigger places or in Trinidad. But it might not always be so easy to see for those who travel as a couple or into a group and/or stay into places as Castara.

Any singles who goes to the only bigger bars/discos in Tobago must have seen it, and I´m not only talking about males looking for young girls, there´s also women looking for young men.

I love dancing, used to go to an old local place nearby the Airport, doesn´t exist now, to dance and lime with locals, aslo sometimes to the Golden Stars. As I mostly stay in Bon Accord I also tried the Shade a few times but that place is really not nice, just a european style disco with a touch of the caribbean.

Anyone who have been there and aren´t blind must seen what´s happen around the dancing area. As I travel alone I often were given a offer at the Shade by both local guys and Trini-men "want young girl mister, or the girls them-self make an offer directly, "want me to dance for you" quite common in fact. A funny thing is that these girls are mostly very bad dancers!

There are both professional, half-professionals and amateurs of both types in Tobago, many of them go across from Trinidad during the high season. And because travelling between Trinidad and Tobago is more easy now I guess they travel more often now a days.

/Ronald

[Paul Tallet]

I definately agree that one country should not be tarnished with this reputation and I would say that the fact that this journalist witnessed 'something' in Castara does not mean that it only happens in Castara ... typical of inexperienced and sensationalised journalism and a poor reflection on the normally reputable Times newspaper.

I am aware, as Ronald is, of some actitivities that can happen in some places but it is conducted very discreetly and you would have to seek it out to find it if you are really that desperate or you may be unlucky (or lucky?) to just come across it.

Any such indicretions in Tobago are not worth reporting compared to the disgusting activities that happen in many other parts of the world ... I think this Times journalist should get out a bit more and get more experience of the world instead of highlighting Tobago in association with such nonsense that we prefer to either ignore or just not talk about.

Regards

[Patrick Dankou]

What's this guy's obsession with Germans? He obviously does not know what he's talking about:
Germans tourists have been coming to Tobago for decades and personally I believe they don't behave much different from their anglo-saxon brothers and sisters who outnumber them by far since the mid nineties.
Does he really think that sex tourism in the caribbean is a 'german ting' ?
I am shocked to read such cheap sensationalism in the good old Times

[Tony G]

Quote from article - 'Brian Schofield travelled as a guest of British Airways'

Lucky old Brian Schofield eh?

Tony

[Steve Wooler]

Nice one, Paul. Hackles are very much the operative word.

Let’s be honest and blunt about this. Because of its relative safety and friendliness, Tobago has always been a popular destination for single women. There are an awful lot of good-looking, charming young local men who make a nice living out of ‘chaperoning’ ladies who seek companionship. It always amuses me to see them at the airport, bidding adieu to the love of their life while sizing up the new arrivals, or ‘fresh meat’ as once described to me.

However, I must say that I had never noticed that German ladies represent a particularly higher-than-average element. In fact, in my experience it tends to follow the same geographic patterns as all other visitors to the island; i.e. about 70-75% coming from the UK.

I must also say that Castara and the upper Caribbean coast are not areas that I associate with this matter and in that respect Scofield is being mischievous. Ladies who want to meet men naturally gravitate to the more popular areas with livelier bars. Sunday School, the Shade and various Crown Point bars are where this is most evident.

Unlike Bangkok and certain other Far Eastern destinations, Tobago is most certainly NOT a place that attracts men ‘looking for action’. Yes, although illegal, prostitution clearly does exist – but no more so than here at home. However, be warned: HIV/Aids is a huge problem in Trinidad in particular and the vast majority of the girls are shipped over from Trinidad by pimps, particular for Friday/Saturday night at The Shade. Those stupid/drunk enough to involve themselves with this cattle market will almost be certainly taking home more than they bargained for.

I'm sorry if my words offend more sensitive readers. That is certainly not my intention. However, skirting around the issue with polite words and innuendo helps nobody.

[Bryan Guignard]

I totally agree with Steve's comments, and I'll add a bit to the HIV/Aids issue. According to the most recent stats and studies, HIV/Aids is an EPIDEMIC in Trinidad and Tobago. However, it also shows that the occurrence is significantly higher in Tobago than it is in its sister island! HIV/Aids has spread very quickly in Tobago, and these are only the confirmed cases that have been tested in TT government labs. Data from private labs, and overseas labs are not included in the stats. A significant issue is the vibrant health of the average Tobagonian, especially the younger and most sexually active generation. This is significant because it can mask a lot of the problem. First, when tourists see these robust and healthy looking people, the last thing they are inclined to think of is HIV/Aids, and that makes it easy to let your guard down, especialy in a moment of temptation. Second, healthy people with strong immune systems are less likely to become ravaged by Aids. They are more likely to only be HIV carriers who may never develop symptoms of Aids. Don't forget that the ID in AIDS stands for...Immune Deficiency. While HIV/Aids is a blood borne disease, it does require a weak immune system to thrive. All this to say that this epidemic has the potential of being far worse than is officially reported, since healthy carriers are unlikely to get tested and don't make it into the official statistics. So if you view Tobago as a potential sexual playground be sure to pack plenty of your favorite condoms.

[Kevin Pallant]

A reasonable article apart from the one paragraph. I am sure Mr Schofield is a paragon of virtue in all he does in his life? Sounds like he needs to sort out his hatred of inhabitants of some parts of Europe before he leaves theses shores again! This article is another good example of why I don't buy a newspaper.

[Gisela Grell]

How should I start.... and what should I say as a German.... ?
While reading the article I was wondering what you were talking about (I read your comments before the article) until I reached the chapter of denunciation of the German visitors.

What the hell is this guy talking about?? Castara? Ahm, yes, he was talking about Mrs. Veras Rotis... Must be Castara but where does he find all these Germans???
As a single traveling GERMAN woman I visit Castara now for almost ten years and met maybe 4 or 5 Germans in this time. Oh,wait. I remember a German girl complaining about some local guys who try to talk to her. I know, the standard questions.... I told her that she would be more upset if noone would have talked to her and she stoped complaining
Maybe I'm not the right one to talk about this because I'm well known in Castara and none of the guys ask me the standard questions because the know I will only laugh about it.
But sex tourism?? German sex tourism??? On Tobago and especially in Castara????? Even the local guys who always look out for young single ladies on the beach (of any nation, never heard the pefer one nation) would lough out loud about this. Its just stupid!

OK, I have to confess I had a boyfriend on Tobago for a while but it doesn't work out right. I still do have some male and female friends in every age there but never ever heard anything about sex tourism in Castara.
Sorry for the long posting but I still don't know what to think about this...

A totally confused
Gisela

[Paul Williams]

Like to thanks everyone for their thoughts.
Have to agree with a lot of the points made especially Kevins and Gisellas, Leita and I spent time this year in Langkawi staying in a German run hotel which had a very cosmopolitan clientele and even here where there is supposed to be an amount of sex tourism we did not come across any (I can asure you I am not niave about this sort of thing).
I felt the article was totally ruined by this rant and out of interest this guy is studying the relationship between ancient cultures and todays way of living (seems he would not be the best at judging cultures).
I have visited his website and suggested he views this thread to see what our thoughts are.
Regards
Paul